Examining the Causal Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Generalized Anxiety Severity: Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation Difficulties and Self-critical Belief

Izadpanah, Zahra; Moshirian Farahi, Seyede Maryam; Shirkhani, Milad

doi:10.48308/apsy.2025.241649.1907

Examining the Causal Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Generalized Anxiety Severity: Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation Difficulties and Self-critical Belief

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Master of General psychology, Department of Psychology, Imam Reza International University, Mashhad, Iran

² Assistant Proffesor Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities. Imam Reza International University, Mashhad,

³ Ph.D. Student in Cognitive Psychology, Department of Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

10.48308/apsy.2025.241649.1907

Abstract

Aim: This study examined the relationship between childhood trauma and generalized anxiety severity, with emotion regulation difficulties and self-critical beliefs as mediators.

Method: This descriptive-correlational study included 250 individuals attending counseling centers in Mashhad in 2023. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS-26 and SmartPLS-3.

Results: The model demonstrated good fit. Childhood trauma had significant direct effects on generalized anxiety severity. Emotion regulation difficulties (β = 0.136) and self-criticism (β = 0.051) significantly mediated this relationship (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Childhood trauma, emotion regulation difficulties, and self-critical beliefs contribute directly and indirectly to generalized anxiety severity. These factors should be addressed in clinical interventions to improve treatment outcomes.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Clinical Psychology

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